The statistics paint a picture that'll make any Red wince. We're the most clinical side in the Premier League when we actually hit the target, but we're not getting enough shots on goal to matter.

Liverpool have converted 0.35 goals per shot on target this season, the best rate in the division. That's exactly the same conversion rate we managed during last season's title-winning campaign. When we work the goalkeeper, we score. Simple as that.

City and Arsenal sit just behind us on 0.34, which tells you everything about the fine margins at the top. Even more surprisingly, Tottenham and West Ham feature in the next tier, showing they know how to finish when the chances arrive. At the other end, Wolves languish on 0.19, explaining their struggles in front of goal.

We're also creating the most opportunities overall with 527 shots, edging out Sunday's opponents United by just one. City and Arsenal follow behind, whilst Burnley prop up that particular table alongside Wolves and Sunderland.

So what's the problem? It's glaringly obvious when you dig deeper. Not enough of our shots are troubling goalkeepers. We sit seventh in the Premier League for shots on target, a full 39 behind United. That's a damning statistic for a side with title ambitions.

City, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brighton and Newcastle have all tested keepers more frequently than us this season. Last campaign, we led that metric with 215 shots on target. This time around, with four matches left, we're a staggering 61 behind that pace.

The drop-off explains everything about our title surrender. We've managed 57 goals this season compared to 80 at this stage last year when the crown was already ours. That's 23 fewer strikes despite creating similar numbers of chances.

The reasons are well documented. Losing Trent Alexander-Arnold's creativity has hurt us badly. Salah's form has inevitably dipped at 33, whilst summer signing Florian Wirtz has needed time to adapt to the Premier League's intensity in attacking midfield. British record signing Alexander Isak has battled fitness and form issues since his arrival.

But the numbers reveal the core issue isn't our finishing or chance creation in isolation. It's the quality of opportunities we're fashioning. Too many hopeful efforts from range, not enough clear-cut chances that force saves or find the net.

When we played United in September, we were ruthlessly efficient. Three shots on target, three goals, job done. That 3-0 victory showcased everything Slot wanted from his side, clinical finishing from limited opportunities.

Compare that to the previous season's meetings with United where we registered 62 shots, 15 on target, but managed just two goals including a penalty. Quantity without quality, exactly what we're seeing too often this campaign.

With Diaz now tearing it up at Bayern Munich and Salah struggling with fitness concerns, we'll need different solutions at Old Trafford. United's defence has been leaky this season, conceding more Premier League goals than anyone in the current top 13 bar Bournemouth.

Victory would lift us above United into third and move us to the brink of Champions League qualification with three games remaining. But we need to start creating better chances and improve our shooting accuracy to get there.

The conversion rate proves we've got the finishing ability when it matters. Now we need the service and decision-making to match that clinical edge in front of goal.